By:Amy Rosner By:Amy Rosner | October 25, 2021 | Food & Drink,
Calling all cheese addicts!
New York’s top Italian restaurants will celebrate Parmigiano Reggiano Day, in partnership with the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium’s annual commemoration of the devastating earthquakes that destroyed 360,000 wheels of cheese in Emilia-Romagna.
A true tragedy for all us Cacio e Pepe lovers.
As recounted in the debut of Netflix’s hit series Chef’s Table, the Consortium banned together with Chef Massimo Bottura to develop and share with the world a revolutionary Risotto Cacio e Pepe recipe, cooked in and featuring Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Launched on October 27th, 2012, the effort was a resounding success, selling all 360,000 of the damaged wheels and saving the local cheese industry in the process.
Since then, the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano has dubbed the 27th “Parmigiano Reggiano Day”, recurrently encouraging chefs and foodies alike to celebrate the Italian masterpiece.
This year, the Consortium has partnered with some of the country’s most prestigious chefs and osterias across New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago to honor the day by unveiling signature dishes, events, and culinary demonstrations centered around Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on the 27th only.
Seminal New York institutions including Dante, Don Angie, Rezdôra, Osteria Morini, Scampi, Aita, Il Laboratorio Del Gelato, and Lucciola, will highlight Parmigiano Reggiano-centric dishes.
Giving us one more excuse to stalk Resy for one of the toughest tables in all of Manhattan.
See Also: How to Get A Seat at One Of NYC's Toughest Tables
The dishes include Don Angie’s famed Lasagna Pinwheels made with 24-mo aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Tagliolini tossed tableside in the wheel at Dante, Mafaldini "Cacio e Pepe" via Scampi, and more.
Plus, Eataly Flatiron will be hosting a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel-cracking event at 5 PM open to the public, to commemorate the day.
The 2021 commemoration serves the dual purpose of showing support for the 50,000 workers involved in the making of Parmigiano Reggiano who have also been negatively affected by Covid-19.
“In times of crisis, we believe it is necessary to roll up our sleeves, take care of the weakest and not lose heart. It is a form of solidarity to keep the Parmigiano Reggiano production alive. Together, we succeeded despite the steep challenges of the Pandemic,” stated Nicola Bertinelli, President of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
“Americans can support the fifty thousand workers associated with making Parmigiano Reggiano by purchasing authentic Parmigiano Reggiano PDO. U.S. shoppers should look for the dotted rind — the mark of origin that is visible on every wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano. Each purchase helps support the people involved in the production of Parmigiano Reggiano. This is truly the Consortium’s ‘cause.’”
The program also benefits Food For Soul, a non-profit that advocates for creating sustainable, ethical food systems, and distributing food to those in need.
For every $5,000 dollars raised on Parmigiano Reggiano Day, the Consortium has pledged to donate a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese to Food for Soul as a way to extend its support.
Chefs, influencers, and Italophile home cooks are all encouraged to cook, eat and post with the Protected Designation of Origin cheese tagged (@ParmigianoReggianoUSA) on October 27th, 2021.
Photography by: Courtesy STUNTMANpr